June 6, 2012

Summertime Modesty in Church - First Amendment

You know what, folks? It's still church. It ain't Beach Blanket Bingo. It's still church. Even at the beach. There's an old saw that people in poorer parishes look like they're going to the beach and people in affluent parishes look like they're coming from the beach. Either way, clean up your act and dress appropriately.

Do I really have to explain this?

Apparently.

If someone important were coming to your house, or you were going to visit an amazing celebrity, wouldn't you want to look your best? Tidy up? Comb your hair? Brush your teeth? Put on your makeup? Dress your best?

Of course!

So are you telling me that a mere mortal with momentary celebrity status deserves more effort and shine on your part than The Creator Of The Universe? Really?

Just checking.

"But, it's summer time. It's hoooooooot out!" is a common comeback.

Okay. Yes. I know. I'm in tune with the weather. I'm aware that it's hot out. Does your car not have air conditioning? Does your church not have air conditioning? Do you live in a gutter in sub-Saharan Africa? Is it really going to kill you to dress appropriately and, perhaps, be slightly uncomfortable for one measly hour a week?

Offer it up and get a grateful soul out of purgatory!

"But.....God loves me the way I am!" is another favorite defensive comeback. Does He? Of course He does! You love your own children just the way they are, don't you? Of course you do!

However....

(There's always a "but," isn't there?)

However, do you expect your children to STAY just the way they are? I mean, honestly, show me a parent who hasn't corrected his or her child at least once today in an effort to help that child grow into a better person. As a parent, I constantly am telling my children to sit up straight, say please and thank you, clean up your own mess, and don't eat the dog's food (...well, fortunately that last one really only applies to the toddler).

You get the idea.

It is BECAUSE I love my children so much that I correct them and strive every day to shape them, not only into a better person, but into the fullness of the lovely person whom God has created them to be! When my children arrive at The Pearly Gates -- please, God! -- I want St. Peter to smile, but a big gold check mark next to their name, and wave them on to Jesus, Who's first words will be, "Well done, My good and faithful servant!" (Matthew 25:23).

Because isn't that what it's all about? (No, not the Hokey-Pokey.) To know, love, and serve Him in this world in order to be happy with Him forever in the next!

So, the next time you're headed off to church, ask yourself this: For whom are you dressing? The boy in the next pew? Your own self-comfort? The beach party you're headed to afterward?

Or have you really taken a moment to prepare yourself (physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally) not only to meet but to worship Almighty God, the Creator of the Universe, the Maker of your soul, and the joy of your heart!?

6 comments:

Anonymous
said...

One of the blessings of living in our day and age is the wonderful gift of Air Conditioning (or refrigerated air, as the older folks used to call it). I am a man, and I want to wear a tie and even a sports jacket to Mass. I will do so until it gets to be over 90 and then I will just leave the jacket at home when it is sweltering. But when I wear the jacket, I always button it when I rise to get into the communion line. Why not? I want to look my best as I approach the throne and fount of grace. I won't even start to talk about the beach. It is impossible to go to the beach in the summer where there are other people... uh... women and girls... It's like "how many extra days do I want to spend in purgatory?" If women would understand how difficult it is for men when the women dress with so little fabric...

One of our former priests once mused in a homily: Young people come to Mass dressed to play sports saying they have a game right afterwards. Why don't you ever see someone dressed up at a sporting event because they have to go to Mass right afterwards? Ouch! So since that time, my children have packed many a bag with a uniform to change into after Mass and I've shown up in the bleachers wearing blouse and skirt.As for the Hokey-Pokey, it's really not as far off from what it's all about as you might think. Hocus Pocus is actually a little bit closer - as "hocus pocus" is a corruption of "Hoc est enim corpus meum", the words of consecration in Latin. Say it fast, you'll sort of hear it. And as we know, that is what it's all about!

What a wonderful post. Going to Mass is one of THE most important thing we do in our lives and I want my children to realize this a reflect it to others. Jesus was beaten, humiliated and hung on a cross for me. I can be a little warm in my "Sunday Best" for him.

ST. ANTHONY, Help Me Find...

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I'm a Catholic homeschooling wife and mother of six Lilliputians, the eldest of whom is adopted with severe special needs. We seek to know, love, and serve God in this world and be happy with Him forever in Heaven. C'mon along, y'all! When I'm not sitting with my feet up at the beach eating bon-bons, I create rosary wrap bracelets. The rosary is the only bracelet you'll ever need! Shop for yourself or a faith-friend at AveMomma.com today!

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Morning Offering

Oh my God, in union with the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer Thee the Precious Blood of Jesus from all the altars throughout the world, joining with it the offering of my every thought, word, and action of this day.

Oh my Jesus, I desire today to gain every indulgence and merit I can and I offer them, together with myself, to Mary Immaculate, that she may best apply them to the interests of Thy Sacred Heart. Precious Blood of Jesus, save us! Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us! Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!

TODAY's TINY THOUGHT: Remember in homeschooling, not every day will be perfect, but every day will be blessed!

FATHER JOHN HARDON, S.J.:"Catholic homeschooling is the planned and organized teaching and training of children at home, for their peaceful and effective life in this world, and for their eternal salvation in the world to come."

TODAY'S DIVINE OFFICE

Click the books to pray today's readings for the Divine Office, the Liturgy of the Hours, the official prayers of the Church which consecrate our every hour in every circumstance to "prayer without ceasing."

Catholic Homeschooling

Catechism of the Catholic Church:

2221 The role of parents in education is of such importance that it is almost impossible to provide an adequate substitute. The right and the duty of parents to educate their children are primordial and inalienable.

2222 Parents must regard their children as children of God and respect them as human persons. Showing themselves obedient to the will of the Father in heaven, they educate their children to fulfill God's law.

2223 Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children. They bear witness to this responsibility first by creating a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity, and disinterested service are the rule. The home is well suited for education in the virtues.

2229 As those first responsible for the education of their children, parents have the right to choose a school for them which corresponds to their own convictions. This right is fundamental.